With nine seniors, the Lincoln Academy boys’ soccer team looks to contend in a very strong Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference this fall. “Defensively, we are really strong,” returning coach KJ Anastasio said. “We need to find some goal scorers. That has been a weakness the past couple of years. We need some younger guys to step it up and put the ball in the back of the net,” Anastasio added.
In pre-season action, the Eagles defeated Class A Cony 1-0, with Jacob Bonney finding net, and they lost 2-1 to Class A Morse, with Dalton Leeman scoring.
This year’s tri-captains are seniors Ethan Wajer and Ben McLain and junior first year player Brandon Reilly.
“He was chosen by his peers. He is a great athlete and learning the game,” Anastasio said of Reilly. McLain is a two-year captain. “He is like a wall back there. He plays a huge leadership role back there defensively at sweeper,” Anastasio commented on McLain. Of Wajer, Anastasio said, “He is moving the ball very well. I can’t say enough about how these guys are playing.”
Lincoln finished the 2008 fall season with a 7-6-1 record and seeded fifth in West Class B. The Eagles lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Lincoln had a great turnout this fall with 45 boys coming out to play soccer. Anastasio kept 21 on varsity.
Playing on the 2009 team are seniors Ethan Wajer, Ben McLain, Michael Vanderploeg, Nate Riley, Andrew Feltis, Pat Mullin, Abe Hamilton, Jian Giglia and Derek Juchnik; juniors Brandon Reilly, Kyle Scherer (second year starter in goal), Jacob Bonney (injured last season), Ryan Wahle, Everett Martin, Sam Stone; sophomores Dalton Leeman, Brandon Bonney, Jeff Stone (NYA transfer), Merritt Wotton (backup goalie) and Bo McLain; and, freshman Tom Masters.
Feltis “will start at a new position at mid-field” and Martin “will bolster up our defensive presence,” Anastasio said.
